Key machine



Jan, 7, 1930. H. BEISSER 1,742,631

KEY MACHINE Fiied May 5-, 192's 4-Sheets-Sheet 1 Jig "Z.

INVENTOR g 325mm ATTORNEY H. BEISSER KEY MACHINE Jan. 7, 1930.

Filed May 3, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 -|NVENTOR ,swz.

' ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1930, H. BEISSER KEY MACHINE Filed May s, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ,llllllflllllflfli 1k .Hl.

- INVENTOR 9 BY ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1930. H. BEIS SER 1,

' KEY momma Filed May 5,. 1928 4 Sheegs- Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNE-Y (Iii Patented Jan. 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY BEISSER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN KEY MACHINE Application filed' May '3,

the grooves of a master key, in order that corresponding grooves may be cut in a key blank of similar type supported in an adjustable cooperating clamping member of the machine,-which also holds the master key.

Another feature of the invention is to provide means whereby any of the various fiat, cylinder lock or bitted key blanks of the type in general use may be quickly and accurately grooved to correspond with the grooves of e a master key, by the employement of a suitable interchangeable unit, which in turn may be quickly replaced by units especially adapted for other types of keys.

Another feature of the invention is a longitudinally adjustable gripping element supported upon a rack bar of the machine, adapted to hold either a fiat, bitted or cylinder key blank and also a corresponding master key which may be instantly inserted or removed and the gripping element longitudinally adjusted and then locked against displacement in relation to the cutter and master guide units.

Another feature of the invention is the method of mounting the combined detachable cutter and master guide unit in the frame of a suitable supporting journal and couplingit in axial alignment with the driving shaft of the machine.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention further resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that 1928. Serial no. 274,687.

changes may be made in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed with} out departing from the spirit of the same.

In the drawings accompanying this specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine showing one of the combined interchangeable cutters and guides in position.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the machine showing in dotted lines its end rocking clamping' member carrying a key blank to the cutter.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the machinetaken on or about line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4c is a fragmentary horizontal sec tional view takenon or about line l4 of Figure l.- V

Figure 5 is across-sectional view of a detail of the rocking clamping member taken on or about line 5 5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a detail of the rocking clamping member, taken on or about line '66 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view of a detail of construction taken on or about line 7-7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8' is a perspective view of a malleable bit key showing a groovecut in the side of the bit.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of one of the interchangeable cutter and master guide units removed from the machine.

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings:

A indicates the bed-frame of the machine provided with suitable supporting legs A by whichit may be secured to the top of a table-or other support.

B denotes an upstanding cradle frame comprising two standards spaced apart and preferably integral with the bed of the machine,- sa'i'd standards being formed with concave recesses to receive and support a detach-ably interchangeable sleeve or journal bearing C, provided with shoulders C at each end, overlapping the edge of the cradle frame to secure said sleeve or journal-bearing against longitudinal displacement.

D designates a swinging; hook, pivoted on a stub shaft B between the end walls of the cradle. D is a set screw extending through the overhanging portion of the hook D to engage the journal C, whereby it is securely held in the cradle-frame.

E indicates a drive shaft having a shoulder bearing against the sleeve 0, which may be driven eitner by a pulley, or actuated by a 1notornot shown. E is a washer mounted on the shaft and E E are lock nuts to secure the shaft against longitudinal movement in the bearing.

F denotes a detachable interchangeable unit, comprising a tubular bearing Gr supported in a cradle-frame H, comprising two standards spaced apart and preferably integral with the bed of the machine,-said standards being formed with concave recesses to receive the hearing.

I is a short shaft supported in the spaced walls of the cradle on which is pivoted a hook J, overlapping the bearing G and provided with a set screw K, which when adjusted bears upon the wall of the bearing to secure 't in the cradle.

L is a shaft extending longitudinally through the journal G, provided at one end with a shoulder L seated in a counterbore v in the end of the journal. L L are discs mounted upon the shaft-spaced apart to receive a rotatable cutting tool M. L is a nut screwed on the shaft and when adjusted bears against the outer disc to secure the cutting tool rigidly in place. In the end of the shaft L is a transverse groove L to receive a tongue 3 projecting from the end of the drive shaft to connect the shafts in driving relation.

G and G denote flanges on the ends of the bearing overlapping the walls of the cradle to secure the bearing against longitudinal displacement when seated in the cradle. The shaft L extends through a washer L and screwed upon the shaft is a-nut L bearing against the washer, which in turn bears against the journal bearing to hold the latter rigidly upon the shaft. G is an arm projecting from the bearing for supporting a stylus or finger N secured thereto by a suitable set screw N Screwed upon the shaft L is is an extension shaft 0, projecting beyond the end of the machine,and mounted upon the end of the extension shaft is a rotatable cutting tool P,

' attached to the shaft by a nut P Q, is a saw-toothed ratchet bar supported in the end walls of the machine in front of the bed plate. R denotes a yoke-shaped frame having a hub R slidable upon the ratchet .bar Mounted upon each of the bifurcated ends R of the yoke-shaped frame is a pair of clamping jaws R R The jaws are separated from each other by an upstanding wall B through which extends a screw-threaded stub shaft R screwed into or it may be integral with the yoke-shaped frame.

through which extends the stub shaft R.

The outer walls of the clamping jaws S overlap the upstanding wall R to secure the inverted jaws S from turning upon the shaft.

The inverted U-shaped jaws S in conjunction with the jaws R mounted upon the ends R of the yoke-shaped frame provide a pair of clamping jaws adapted to respectively grip the key blank and master key upon a proper adjustment of the wing nuts R screwed upon the end of the stub shafts.

It will be noted upon referring to Figure 2 that the jaws of the clamping members on opposite sides of the upstanding wall R are respectively different, that is to say, the faces of the opposing aws on one side are parallel while those on the opposite side are inclined toward each other, the object being to provide clamping means respectively adapted to grip'either flat keys or the shanks of bitted keys, the clamping members being first re leased and then turned upon the stub shafts R that the desired jaws may face the cutting tool and stylus N.

shaped member through which the ratchet bar Q extends are spaced lugs R supporting a transverse pin R? on which is pivoted a sawteotljsd segment T engaging the'teeth of the bar T denotes a handle provided with a shank T screw-threaded in a right hand direction for a portion of its-length and in a left hand direction the balance of its length, the screwthreaded portions respectively extending through the wall of the segment T and the transverse pin 11, whereby upon a rotativc adjustment of the handle the teeth of the segment will be withdrawn from the teeth of the bar Q. that the yoke-shaped frame may be readily shifted longitudinally upon the saw-toothed bar, without engaging the teeth of the bar Q, to a point approximating the final adjustment necessary to bring the master key and key blank into proper relation to the cutting tool and stylus carried by the interchangeable unit F.

'To perfect an accurate adjustment in rela tion to the latter, the handle of the segment T is rotated to force the teeth of the segment into operative engagement with the teeth of the rack bar. The yoke-shaped frame may now be accurately adjusted longitudinally upon the shaft Q, by a slight rocking movement of the segment T ,-the handle T may then be further adjusted to crowd the teeth of the segment into locking relation with the teeth of the rack bar, thereby insuring against accidental displacement of the parts during the operation of cutting the key.

Mounted upon the end of the shaft Q, be-

yo'nd the end of the machine is a cam sleeve U connterbored at U to receive the spring V, coiled upon the shaft and bearing at one end againstthe frame of the machine and at the other against a shoulder formed by the counterbore in the cam sleeve.

W denotes a swinging arm provided vat its lower end with a hub V mounted upon the cam sleeve U. W is a handle screwed into the cam sleeve, extending through a slot '5 socket in the end of the saw-toothed bar Q,

and at its outer end is provided with a knurled head X bearing against the swingmg arm W, whereby upon manually ad ustmg the knurled head, the swinging arm W may be shifted longitudinally upon the shaft Q to a l mit-ed degree,-the spring V serving to return the swinging arm WV to its former position upon a reverse ad ustment of the knurled head of the screw.

The SW11'101I10 arm at its no er end is fitted with a StittlOnEtIY ClEtHlPlIlg aw W coordinating with an ad ustable clamping aw TV to grip a key Z, and is provided witha stub shaft W extending loosely through the fixed jaw, and at its outer end has a in Figure 8a master key is first inserted be tween the stationary jaw W and the adjustable clamping jaw "W of the swingingarm l/V. The handle Y is then rotated-to grip the bit between the adjustable and fixed jaws of the swinging arm.

The knurled head X of the lower end of the swinging arm is then adjusted to shift the swinging arm longitudinally upon the bar Q against the action of the spring V until the grooveZ in the master key registers with the cutting tool 1? on the end of the shaft 0. The handle Y is-then rotated to release the master key and a suitable key blank is inserted in its place and secured by the jaws.

The operator then rocks the handle W screwed into the cam sleeve U, raising the swinging arm W,and thereby lifting the'key blank, which is then shifted into the path of the cutting tool, whereupon through an oscillating movement of the swinging arm, a groove is cut across the bit, duplicating in the icy blank the groove Z formed in the master To duplicate the grooves or notches found in flat, cylinder, and other keys, a suitable.

master key Z is first inserted between one set of the clamping jaws of the yoke-shaped frame R slidable upon the rack bar Q, a key blank Z of like type being gripped between the jaws on the other arm of the yoke-shaped member.

A removable interchangeable unit F fitted with a suitable cutting tool at one end and a stylus at the other is then lodged in the cradleframe and secured therein by the, engaging hook J and set screw K.

The segment T carried byjthe hub of the yoke-shaped frame is then released from engagement with the rack bar by rotating the handle T so as to withdraw the teeth of the segment from the teeth of the rack bar. a v

The yoke-shaped frame R is now shifted to bring it into approximate opposing relation to the unit supporting the cutting tool and stylus. The handle T is then adjusted to force the teeth of the segment-T into operative engagement with the, teeth of the rack bar, whereupon the handle bar T is'rocked to shift the yoke-shaped frame longitudinally upon the rack bar bringing the key blank Z and master key-Z into accurate alignment with the cutting tool M and stylus NJ It will be noted that the teeth in the segment T are relatively narrow at their outer ends--see Figure 3-in order that the yokeshaped frame Rmay be rocked by the operator toward and away from the cutting tool M and stylus N of the detachable interchangeable -unit, thus the master key Z see dotted lines in Figure 4'held by the clamping jaws of the yoke-shaped frame may be readi'lyduplicated by the key blank Z by bringing the latter into the path of the cutting tool M as the stylus N ofthe interchangeable unit simultaneously traverses the notches formed in the master key. Having thus described my invention What I claim is: i j

1. In a key milling machine, a drive shaft; an interchangeable nnit detachably coupled to the drive shaft comprising a relatively short shaft, a sleeve in which the shaft is j our- 1 nalled and through which it extends, means for supporting a rotatablecutting tool upon one end of the shaft, a stylus secured to the sleeve in fixed relation to the cutting tool;

a cradle-frame for supporting said sleeve; :1

swinging hook pivoted in the frame, adapted to overlap the sleeve; and a set screw carried by said hook, adaptedto engage the sleeve to hold said detachable element securely in the cradle-frame.

v 2. In a milling machine, a driveshaft provided with a projecting tongue at one end; a

supporting frame; an interchangeable unitdetachably mounted in the supporting frame comprising a sleeve having flanges atreach' end overlapping the supporting frame, to secure the unit against longitudinal displacement; a relatively short shaft journalled in the sleeve and extending through the latter with a groove at one end to receive the tongue of the driving shaft, a rotatable cutting tool secured to the shaft of the interchangeable unit, and a stylus secured to the sleeve, coordinating with the cutting tool, key blank and a master key, for duplicating the latter; a swinging hook pivoted'between the walls of the supporting frame; and a set screw extending through the hook to secure the sleeve upon the frame. I

3. In a key machine, a drive shaft; an interchangeable unit, detachably coupled to the drive shaft including a rotatable cutting tool and a stylus held in fixed relation to each other; a longitudinally extending ratchet bar supported in the frame of the machine parallel with the drive shaft and the interchangeable unit; a manually operated rocking element havin a hub slidably mounted upon the ratchet bama pair of adjustable jaws supported in spacedrelation to each other upon the slidable hub; means for adjusting the jaws to respectively grip a key blank and a master key; a segmental ratchet adapted to engage the ratchet bar; and a handle extendingfrom the segmental ratchet, for manually operating the latter.

4, In a key machine, a drive shaft; an interchangeable unit, detachably coupled to the drive shaft including a rotatable cutting tool and a stylus held in fixed relation to each other; a longitudinally extending ratchet bar supported in the frame of the machine parallel with the drive shaft and the lnterchangeable unit; a manually operated rocking element having a hub slidably mounted upon the ratchet bar; a pair of ad ustable jaws supported in spaced relation to each other upon the slidable hub; means for adjusting the jaws to respectively grlp a key blank and a master key; a segmental slotted ratchet; a pivot pin extending through the slot in the ratchet, supported in lugs projecting from the hub of the slidable rocking element; a rotatable handle including a right andleft screw-threaded shank having respectively ascrew-threaded engagement with the pivot pin and the segmental ratchet, whereby upon rotating said handle in one direct on, the segmental ratchet will be adjusted into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet for longitudinally shifting the slidable element by rocking the handle,or by reversing the rotation of the handle; said segmental ratchet may be withdrawn from the teeth of the rack bar, whereby the slidable element may be freely moved upon the rackbar.

5. In a key milling machine, a driven shaft; a rotatable cutter mounted upon the shaft; a bar supported in the end walls of the machine below the rotatable cutter; a manually rotatable cam slidably mounted upon the bar below the rotatable cutter; a swinging, arm provided at its free end with a fixed and a manually adjustable jaw for gripping a master key orkey blank, and a hub at its pivotal end mounted upon the cam; a spring bearing against the wall of the cam to force the cam to the limit of its outward movement; and means for laterally adjusting the swinging arm upon the rod against the tension of the spring, whereby abitted key blank held between the jaws of the swinging arm may by a proper adjustment of the swinging arm be delivered into the path of the rotatable cutter for cutting a groove in a key bit in the same relative position as that occupied by a corresponding groove in a master key.

6. In a key milling machine, a driven shaft; a rotatable cutter mounted upon the shaft; a bar supported in the end walls of the machine below the rotatable cutter; a manually rotatable cam slidably mounted upon the bar below the rotatable cutter; a swinging arm provided with a fixed and an adjustable jaw at its free end, and a hub at its pivotal end mounted upon the cam; a spring bearing against the wall of the cam to force the cam to the limit of its outward movement; an adjusting screw having an enlarged head overlapping the hub of the swinging arm, screwed into the end of the bar, whereby the swinging arm may be laterally adjusted upon the bar against the tension of the spring, said swinging arm at its free end having an adjusting screw extending through the fixed and adjustable jaws; a spring bearing against the adjustable jaw to normally maintain the adjustable jaw in open relation to the fixed jaw; and a rotatable handle having a shank tapped to receive the screw, whereby upon rotating the handle the jaws may be drawn together to grip a master key or key blank, and upon a rocking movement of the swinging arm simultaneously with a manual rota-'- tion of the cam, a key blank gripped between the jaws may be brought into the path of the 1 ally rotatable cam slidablymounted upon the bar below the rotatable cutter; a swinging arm provided at its free end'with a fixed and a' manually adjustable jaw for gripping a master key or key blank, and a hub at its pivotal end mounted upon' the cam; and

means for laterally adjusting the swinging arm upon the rod, whereby a bitted key blank held between the aws of the swinging arm may by a proper adjustment of the swinging arm be delivered into the path of the rotatable cutter for cutting a groove in a key bit in the same relative position as that occupied by a corresponding groove in a master key.

8 In a key machine, a drive shaft; an interchangeable unit, detachably coupled to i the drive shaft, comprising a rotatable cutting tool and a stylus held in fixed relation to each other; a longitudinally extending bar supported in the frame of the machine parallel with the drive shaft and interchangeable unit; a manually operated rocking element slidably mounted upon the bar; a pair of inverted U-shaped jaws having gripping faces on the legs of thejaws adapted to be supported against rotation inspaced relation to each other upon the rocking element; a pair of gripping jaws cooperating with the faces of the U-shaped aws adapted also to be supported against rotation upon the rocking element, each pair of jaws being movable upwardly and away from the rocking element to permit of their rotation to present a difierent pair of gripping faces to the cutter and sty lus; and means for adjusting said U-shaped jaws to grip the master key and blank, whereby the blank may be operated upon by the cutting tool.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specificat-ion.

HARRY BEISSER. 

